Kim Komando Daily Tech Update

Facebook had a major outage that was believed to be a server error. But when you think about it, servers can't be so easily misconfigured, which leads me to wonder, could it have been a hack? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you forget something in an Uber, the good news is: you can get it back. But are you curious what people leave behind? Kim looked into it and shares some very strange things people left in their Uber ride. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We thought smoking cigarettes was safe back in the day. Now we know better. But consider new tech like AirPods. Are they safe, or will we one day discover they cause cancer? Kim gives her thoughts on the matter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Receiving bad news from a doctor is devastating enough. What if you got news that your loved one is dying from a robot? This is what happened to Ernest Quintana's family when a machine rolled into the intensive care unit to give them the news. How would you feel? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The greatly hyped, end-of-world Y2K event came and went without anybody noticing. Now, some tech writers are trying to create that same panic with the Global Positioning System (GPS). Kim looks at the latest fears behind the GPS update coming up in April 2019 and how it can affect us. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After all the scandals, data breaches, and fake news Mark Zuckerberg had an epiphany about privacy and security for Facebook. He has a new vision about what the future of Facebook is going to look like. Kim looks at this vision and what the future holds for Facebook based on its past track record. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Video stores used to be the only way to rent movies back in the day. Many people have spent a weekend evening at Blockbuster Video, renting movies and buying snacks with the family. In this day and age, technology has taken over the home movie business with streaming services. But Blockbuster isn't quite dead yet. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Since it was unveiled, the foldable smartphone has been generating a lot of excitement. But is now the right time to buy one? Kim looks at how smartphone manufacturers are racing to bring foldable phones to the market even though it's untested technology. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When many of us signed up for Facebook, we gave them our phone number to prevent hackers from being able to access our account information. It's called two-factor authentication and Facebook used our phone numbers to allow people to look us up and even sold that info to third parties. Kim looks at how this practice is still in use even thought Facebook said they stopped it quite some time ago. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

New parents have a tough time picking names for their new offspring. It used to be going through the baby name book or checking names online. Now, it's social media. Kim looks at the impact social media has made for new parents picking the name of their child and why it has become so prevalent. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Many of us just couldn't live without our smartphones. When we can't text, check email or apps, and surf the web whenever we want, we experience frustration and anxiety. Kim looks at ways we can counter smartphone addiction to relieve the stress and anxiety. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The phone rings and you've got a fifty-fifty chance of it being a robocaller. That's right, nearly 50% of all calls are robocallers and they've been on the rise for quite some time. Where are all these robocalls coming from? Kim looks at what's behind these annoying calls and what you can do about it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

YouTube has been in the news lately and it hasn't been too good. First, it was people leaving comments promoting child pornography. Now, it's videos promoting suicide? Kim looks at the latest story about YouTube and what it means to parents and kids. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

BMW let the cat out of the bag at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. You won't believe what drivers will be able to do with the latest technology. And it may not be limited to high priced cars. Here's a hint: it has to do with your gaze. Plus, what's new with 5G smartphones. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Facebook has been in the news for quite some time about the way it has handled data from users. But this time, Facebook is not the one doing the spying. It turns out, other apps are selling all their user data to Facebook. Kim looks at the latest research about how Facebook is getting data from other apps. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Facebook has a history of massive data breaches, bad management, and arrogant stances. Now, Mark Zuckerberg is trying to convince people to purchase their Portal Smart screen for video chatting and put them in their homes. Kim looks at what having a Facebook linked camera in your home can do with your privacy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Samsung finally unveiled its first foldable smartphone and it's pretty innovative. Kim looks at the new Samsung Galaxy Fold smartphone, how it works, and if it will get the smartphone industry out of its rut. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Imagine you've just been in a car accident, trapped in your vehicle with no help around and you can't reach your cell phone. But, you can still talk so you call out for your virtual assistant to call 911. That's what happened to Nate Felix. Listen as Kim tells his story and reminds us that our smartphones could save our lives. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Smartphone sales have been stagnant the last few years but Samsung plans to change all that. They plan to announce their first foldable smartphone at an unbelievable price. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At the annual Consumer Electronics Show last month, companies like Samsung, Toshiba, Sony and LG made a big deal about their new 8K televisions. Other than the fact that there is hardly any 8K content available, there's another hard fact that will keep you from buying one. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It seems that every couple of weeks, a new viral challenge pops up on social media. Some of these challenges are fun, some are dangerous but this one is really making waves. Kim looks at the 48-hour challenge and the impact it's having on parents and police. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Whether you're a fan or not, romance eBooks are extremely popular on Amazon and some authors are raking in the cash. Kim looks at the business of writing and selling love stories on Amazon Kindle and how authors are cashing in. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Russia is leaving the world wide web as we know it and they have built their own independent internet which they will test this year. Kim looks at the reasoning behind Russia's decision to leave the global internet and what it will mean to the Russian people. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's a fact that people are holding on to their smartphones longer and that's caused smartphone makers some worry. Sales of new phones have flatlined and in order get people to upgrade their devices, smartphone makers are set to unveil some new features. I'll tell you what smartphone companies are doing to get consumers buying and upgrading again. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There's nothing more annoying than getting a phone call from someone trying to sell you a product or service you don't want. Even worse, they use your cell minutes just to annoy you. The good news is, there are steps you can take to stop these unwanted calls and I'll tell you how. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We all know Facebook is collecting data about us, and you won't believe the reason they say they do it. They must really think we're naive. Look at Europe for example: Facebook has to play by different rules there. European countries are cracking down on what data can be collected, and for good reason! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's scary enough that a thief would steal your smartphone right out of your hand while you're using it. Now, thieves are getting more aggressive: They're putting people in a choke hold demanding they change their settings. Why? Listen to find out what's behind this disturbing new trend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you worry about losing valuable photos if you were to ever lose your smartphone, listen up! There are many ways to retrieve those precious memories so be prepared if this day ever happened. I'll tell you how. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Facebook turned fifteen years old yesterday and sensationalized fake news such as "bacon is as harmful as cigarettes" are still rampant on the site. A bipartisan group of scientists studied so-called health news on Facebook and the results are not surprising. Kim looks at the results of this study and offers some advice on how best to handle these stories when they appear in our Facebook feeds. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Despite all the privacy scandals, more than two billion users remain on Facebook. They stay connected with family and friends, find potential customers, and get the latest news - sometimes accurate, and sometimes not. But all those perceived benefits come at a great cost. Kim looks at a recent study that shows even a temporary break from Facebook can lead to greater happiness and satisfaction for almost everyone. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Even things you own that aren't already smart, don’t have to stay that way. An inexpensive smart plug can make your dumb appliance, lamp or hair dryer smart. Kim gives some tips on inexpensive ways to start upgrading your home to a smart home. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Facebook got caught – again – with its hands in the data cookie jar. This time, an app tracked just every single thing you did on your phone and sent it all back to Facebook. Kim looks at the latest privacy violation from Facebook and what their real motive was behind it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For may people, watching the Superbowl is about more than just game, it's also about the amazing commercials. Well, this year one automobile maker is taking things to a new level. You can win a car if you don't watch the game. Kim looks at a new marketing campaign that's all about not watching this year's Superbowl. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Many people have their favorite YouTube channels as well as their favorite YouTubers that they like to follow. Well, be careful! A clever scam is spreading on YouTube that you need to know about. Here's a hint: Someone wants to give you something valuable for free. Kim explains this latest phishing scam involving YouTube. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

America's politicians have been so busy quibbling about walls and the shutdown, that they’ve completely ignored everyone who flies. Kim looks at how the partial government shutdown, as it engulfed the country, showed us for the first time how dangerous hobby drones can be. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Let's say a husband is not happy that his wife no longer wants to take part in physical relations. Instead of talking about it with her, he can now use the same strategy as big advertising companies. He can target her with online ads. In this podcast, Kim looks at a new company that offers an interesting twist to targeted advertising. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sony's new puppy-sized robotic dog Aibo can walk around the house and check on the family. It has cameras, facial recognition, and is connected to the internet. But are we ready for that? In this podcast, Kim looks at what a robot like this really means to our privacy and security. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Imagine that you're sitting down with the family to watch television. As you start looking for something to watch, what sounds like an emergency broadcast alert blares from the other room. Then, there is an announcement of something frightening. In this podcast, Kim tells the story of a family who had their Nest camera hacked and why we all need to make sure we are secure. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Maybe you’re the one person who has never had a Twitter or Facebook account. The massive social media network computers don’t know anything about you, right? Wrong. In this podcast, Kim looks at recent research that shows that even though you have never been on social media, these companies still know what you like, dislike, and how you respond to situations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With fame comes the need for having personal security and big tech companies are spending big bucks on keeping their executives safe. In this episode of Consumer Tech Update, Kim looks at a recent report on the huge costs some tech companies like Amazon and Facebook are spending to keep their executives safe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have any of your online account credentials ever been stolen in a data breach? Since breaches are so common nowadays, there's a great chance they have, whether you know about it or not. That's why it's critical to know when a massive data breach happens, so you can take action. In this podcast, Kim talks about a data breach impacting hundreds of millions of email addresses, and yours could be one of them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Social engineering is the phrase that describes how people with an agenda use real names and sites to spoof you. And it seems that no one is immune to these elaborate manipulations. In this podcast, Kim looks at the latest scheme that spoofed the world's largest asset management company as well as some news organizations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A judge in northern California ruled that police can't force anyone to unlock their smartphones using biometrics like a fingerprint or facial ID. But, this case is far from over. In this podcast, Kim looks at what this decision really means and how the battle for privacy is far from over. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever wondered how much Google knows about you? There is a way to find out. Learn all the data Google has on you with a few simple clicks. In this podcast, Kim looks at Google's new way for users to take a look at all the data they've collected from them whether it's Gmail, Chrome or any other Google product. The depth of the results may shock you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeff Bezos' divorce provides us with a cautionary tale: text messages are forever. In this episode of Consumer Tech Update, Kim looks at a few of the details that led to Jeff Bezos divorce and why we all need to be aware that the text messages and images we send last a lifetime. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this day and age, many people are looking the make a little extra money to help pay the bills. Thanks to the internet and social media, it's pretty common to see an ad or a video advertising a way to make money selling online using the Amazon marketplace. However, there are people out there making money not by selling on Amazon but by selling the "secrets" to getting rich on Amazon. And many people are losing a lot of money on these scams. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

By now, you may have heard that Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is getting and his wife are getting a divorce after 25 years of marriage. So, how much money are we talking? In this episode of Consumer Tech Update, Kim talks about Jeff Bezos impending divorce and why it's the most expensive divorce in history. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apple does not attend the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas as and exhibitor, but they do have a presence. The problem is, it's a big fat lie. In this episode of Consumer Tech Update, Kim compares what Apple's ad is saying to the reality of how secure a person's data is on an iPhone. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

CES starts today in Las Vegas and runs all week. That means that our lives are set for a major tech makeover. In this episode of Consumer Tech Update, Kim gives us a snapshot of some of the tech we'll see from CES this week and what it will mean to us over the next few years. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The world's largest tech trade show starts tomorrow in Las Vegas. There will be so many new gadgets and tech on display, but there are some particular items to look for. In this episode of Consumer Tech Update, Kim looks at what new technology we can expect to see from companies at this year's Consumer Electronics Show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices